November 11, 2026
Welcome to Race Week 2026!
We’re wrapping up the details and logistics for our 8th annual Run The Ritter and can’t
wait to see you on Saturday morning, November 14. Please review the information
listed below to help you understand the race morning schedule:
Address:
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Parkway Trail, Lakeville
Parking:
We need your help! This year brings the additional challenge of construction at the park
and a large reduction in parking availability. We have a parking team ready to go by
6:30am to direct incoming vehicles to the appropriate parking spot. This team will be
wearing reflective vests and will have parking wands to assist in guiding you. Cars
showing up with a minimum of 2 participant humans will be given a carpool discount
coupon to each as you arrive in your vehicle. Parking attendants will assist incoming
drivers on where to park beginning at 6:30am. Please be patient if you are asked to
pause for a short time before being directed to your spot. Those arriving earlier than
6:30am may need to wait for the parking attendant.
Car Pooling: (and carpooling coupon)
Casperson Park, located directly across Ritter Farm Park on 195th St. W is a very close
by and an easy designated spot to meet others to park and ride together to Ritter. As
you follow directions to Ritter Farm Park you will see a sign at the intersection that
shows arrow to the east to Casperson Park and arrow to the west to Ritter Farm Park.
As you drive into Casperson Park follow the Event Parking signs to two main parking
lots being allocated for our parking needs. The distance to Ritter Park from there is
approximately one mile. An important note here that the gravel road leading to Ritter is
not ideal if you are considering running or walking to Ritter as there is no shoulder and
there are many curves in the road. There will be a lot of traffic on that gravel road on
race morning. Please do NOT self park on the gravel road. We appreciate all that you
can do to help make this happen for us. The carpooling coupon will be given as you
drive into Ritter Farm Park and getting direction on where to park. The coupon is a $5
off any camper cup or hoodie located inside the building throughout race morning on the
merchandise tables. It will be processed at time of purchase and expires after
November 14.
Porta-John Units:
There will be 5 portable units located at the top of the parking lot not far from the
start/finish line. Access to bathrooms located inside the building is not allowed because
of the capacity of this event.
Packet Pick-up: 6:45-7:45am (picking up your bib number, pins and shirt)
This is located in the Environment Learning Center which is the building that is located
on the Ritter upper lot and is visible as you are parked. Prepare for longer lines this year
and we advise arriving no later than 7:15am to give yourself enough time before the
race start. We will be starting the races on time and late arrivals may not be allowed to
start their race to prevent potential out and back complications of the start/finish line and
the safety involved. See timeline schedule below.
Race Bib Number:
Your bib has a chip attached to the back so the bib race number needs to be attached to
the front facing side of your visible layer of clothing for volunteers to see your race
number which identifies you and for the transponder to activate when you step on the
timing mats for scoring purposes. The timing mat located at the start line can pick up
data from your bib number as close as 4-6’ away from the mat. Do not cross or get too
close to the timing mats before the official start.
Event Timeline:
6:30am Parking Assignments begin
6:45-7:45am Packet Pick-up inside the Environmental Learning Center
7:45am Pre-Race Announcements near starting line
8:00am Start of Canicross team race (3 mile only)
8:05am Start of 10 mile RRCA Championship race
8:10am Start of 3 mile and 5 mile races together
8:20am Estimated first Canicross finisher
8:40am Estimated first 5 mile finisher
9:10am Estimated first 10 mile finisher
Race Course Description:
Note: All races share the same start line which is also the shared finish line
The course is 5 miles which is done twice for the 10 milers that are redirected before the
finish line to begin the second loop. The 3 milers are redirected at approximately 2.5
miles to head to the finish while all other runners turn right to continue on to finish the 5 or 10 mile course. The course is well marked. Follow the orange Ritter flags and
signage on the course. The entire course is wide and there is a good mix of terrain with
nothing too technical but a few short areas of rocks with leaf coverage to be aware of at
this time of year. A very short .2 mile is on a gravel road between a trail connect at a
little over a mile on the course.
Aid Station:
One table with both water and Gatorade drink and combination of salty and sweet pre-
packaged snack items will be located near mile 4.5. It is the shared turn-off heading to
the finish area for all of the race distances. We don’t anticipate our 3 milers needing
this aid station but if needed before the 3 mile finish it is there. We expect our runners
to carry a hydration vessel as we are a cupless race while on the course.
Medical:
Medical staff will be at an area near the finish line and marked with signage. For most
non-emergencies you will be assisted as needed. If there is a medical emergency then
911 will be deployed.
Photos:
Courtney Elford, of Elford Photography, will be on site to take a variety of photographs
of our runners and event activities throughout the morning. We hope to get photos of
many of our participants throughout the morning. We will provide the link post-race with
our post-race participant e-mail.
Many of you share photos on our FB or Instagram pages which is fun to see. Be sure to
share yours post-race.
The icon Silo that we love is still standing but there is a lot of construction currently
surrounding it. If you can post a Ritter Silo-Selfie please do. It’s almost a Ritter must!
Awards:
Awards will be presented near the finish line to the following recipients:
All runners will receive a custom wood medal at the finish line area.
Canicross: Overall male and female: Ritter Steel Cup, Ritter trucker hat and Ritter red
bandana for the winning canine partner.
5 mile: Overall male and female: Ritter Steel Cup, Ritter trucker hat
10 mile: Overall male and female: $30 gift certificate to TCRC
2nd overall male and female: $25 gift certificate to TCRC 3rd overall male and female: $20 gift certificate to TCRC
The 10 mile is the MN RRCA State Championship and RRCA custom medals will be
given to the overall male and female of the race; top 40+ male and female, top 50+
male and female and the top 60+ male and female
Photos will be taken at the finish line of our award winners with their prizes so please be
aware of this.
Merchandise:
All Ritter merchandise will be displayed for sale inside of the Environmental Learning
Center throughout race morning. Use your carpooling coupon to purchase a hoodie for
only $35 or a camper cup for only $10. ($5 off) A selection of other merchandise is
available as well. Cash or credit via square will be accepted.
Post-Race Breakfast: Approximately 8:30am start
Noe is back as our breakfast chef which means our breakfast buffet will include freshly
made pancakes (gluten free also available), blueberry or plain, sausage patties and/or
links and eggs cooked scrambled, chocolate milk and coffee. A huge shoutout and
thank you to Anderson’s pure maple syrup for their donation to our breakfast. Those
that came to Sunday’s packet pickup received a bonus sample of their Pure Fuel energy
packet. https://andersonsmaplesyrup.com/
The breakfast buffet tables will be on the deck of the Environmental Learning Center.
Access by the ramp and then gather on the picnic grounds and firepits on the property.
There is no adequate room to gather on the deck.
Race Results:
Our timing and scoring company will post results same day found at:
https://www.mtecresults.com/event/show/6858
Final Comments:
Run The Ritter gives back:
We have surpassed our goal of donating $10K to Ritter Farm Park for sustainability of
the trails we use and prairie restoration land management. We thank you for your
contribution made by part of your entry fee to allow this to happen and we plan to
continue this effort.
Run The Ritter is produced by 100% volunteer management including the race director.
The entire Run The Ritter event team wishes you a fantastic race experience and we
look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 14. Best of luck to everyone for a
fun and safe morning with us.
Paulette Odenthal
Run The Ritter Event Director
runtheritter@gmail.com
www.runtheritter.com
November 1, 2026
2026 Packet Pick Up Information
Ritter Farm Park · Lakeville, Minnesota
Greetings to our registered 2026 Ritter Runners!
We are getting excited as we get closer to our 8th Annual Run The Ritter on Saturday,
November 14. All registrants will receive a pre-race information e-mail with race details by
Monday, November 9 regarding parking, timeline schedule and other pertinent race day
details.
This note is to let you know about our one day early packet pick-up scheduled on Sunday,
November 8, one week before the race. Details and location are as follows:
You may pick up another person’s packet with proof of permission by e-mail or text to do so
and show this at pickup.
As you drive into the park (you will drive past the dog park on your right) continue on the road
until you begin to enter the parking lot area and take your first right to drive to the
Environmental Learning Center building on your right. There is plenty of parking.
Make pickup part of your Sunday
Here are the top reasons why you should pick up your packet on Nov. 8:
-Guaranteed shirt in the size you requested;
-A chance to see the race venue so no guesses on race day;
-A chance to run part of or all of the course as a preview before the race;
-Discount coupons given during packet pickup;
-No waiting in line for your bib number and shirt on race morning;
We ask that you strongly consider adding this to your Sunday schedule to help prevent the
long lines on race morning. We appreciate this but do understand if you have a long out of the
metro area drive.
Thank you for making Run The Ritter a part of your schedule. We are thrilled by your choice to
participate and look forward to seeing you.
Meanwhile, happy and safe trails,
Paulette Odenthal and the Ritter Race Management Team
Run The Ritter Event Director
email us @: runtheritter@gmail.com
website: www.runtheritter.com
Haven’t registered yet or want to sign someone else up? Click the link below.
Every mile gives back.
Run The Ritter has donated over $10,000 to Lakeville Parks & Recreation for park improvements and trail
sustainability. Come enjoy the trails-and help care for them. To reach out to the event director email to:
runtheritter@gmail.com
Want to be part of race morning?
We need volunteers for bib pickup, parking, the course, medals, food, and more. Join the crew and help
make race day happen.
Ritter Farm Park · 19300 Ritter Pkwy Trail · Lakeville, MN 55044
November 26, 2025
Congratulations 2025 Run The Ritter participants!
What an incredible morning at this year’s Run The Ritter! Mother Nature shined her light on us with weather that was unbelievable. When it’s mid-November and almost 50 degrees at 7am with warming temps ahead it is an amazing experience. Seeing finishers sprawled out and gathered in groups sitting on the ground eating their pancake breakfast in the warm sunshine of mid-November was remarkable and so much fun. We barely needed the firepits this year.
We capped the field this year at 350 registrants and 319 of you showing
up on race morning. With 50% of our field as repeat race participants we appreciate you all so much.
With a great new course, a new venue layout for the start/finish area and use of the ELC building we celebrated a lot of firsts for our 7th annual. We hope this was a good experience for everyone and we will be de-briefing on efforts to continue to be a great experience for our participants.
It is exciting news that Run The Ritter has reached our goal of contributing $10,000 back to Ritter Farm Park for trail maintenance sustainability and prairie restoration with native pollinators. This year a $2,000 donation will bring us to to over the $10K goal to $10,400. Thank you to our participants as this contribution could not be done without our registrants which is the only revenue we receive and the race is completely volunteer based.
As the holiday season is fast approaching we thank you again for your participation and support of Run The Ritter and are grateful.
We do hope to see you again.
Until then, be well and continue to get out on the trails,
Paulette Odenthal and the Ritter Race Event Team
Ritter Event Director
runtheritterdirector@gmail.com
November 11, 2025
Welcome to race week for Run The Ritter this Saturday, Nov 15:
We’re excited about our 7th annual Run The Ritter and are looking forward to a great morning at Ritter Farm Park. Please read through the following information for details about your race morning with us. For those of you that are repeat Ritter runners the layout of the venue, including the start/finish area of the race, has changed this year and the information is listed below.
Pre-Event:
Address:
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Parkway Trail, Lakeville
Parking:
We strongly urge car pooling to our event as parking is limited and our registration numbers are higher than previous years. Parking attendants will assist in where to park your vehicle as efficiently as possible starting at 6:45am. If you are earlier please park responsibly on the lower end of the parking lot.
Porta-John Units:
There will be 5 units located at the top of the parking lot not far from the start/finish line. There is an additional unit near the Pavilion on the lower end of the lot. Access to bathrooms located inside the building is not allowed.
Packet Pick-up: 6:45-7:45am
This is located in the Environment Learning Center which is a building that is visible from wherever you park on the lower end. You can pick up your bib number, pins and shirt before the race. Prepare for longer lines this year and we advise getting there no later than 7:15am to give yourself enough time before the race start.
Bib Number:
Your bib has a chip attached to the back and needs to be attached to the front facing side of your visible layer of clothing for volunteers to see your race number which identifies you and for the transponder to activate when you step on the timing mats for scoring purposes. Do not cross the timing mats before the official start.
Event:
Timeline:
6:45-7:45am Packet Pick-up
7:45am Pre-Race Announcements for Canicross
7:50am Start of Canicross team race (3 mile only)
7:55am Pre-Race Announcements at start line
8:00am Start of all races. The start will be a rolling start of about 10-15 at a time every 5-10 seconds as needed. There is a very short single track hill path (2-3 seconds to get down) located near the start to get “down to the lower level” that we want to prevent congestion so the rolling start will help prevent this. The start and finish of the race is in the same location.
The Race Course: On our website https://runtheritter.com/run-information/
The new course this year is great. A little of everything and one 5 mile loop which is done twice for 10 milers without going all the way back to the start line when you begin your second loop. The 3 milers go straight at about mile 2.6ish to head back to the finish while all other runners turn right to continue on the final miles of the 5 mile. The course is well marked. Follow the orange Ritter flags and signage on the course. The entire course is wide (with exception of the very short single track at the start getting down to the lower level). There is a good mix of terrain with nothing too technical but a few short areas of rocks with leaf coverage at this time of year. A very short .2 is on a gravel road between a trail connect at a little over a mile on the course.
Aid Station:
One table with a cooler of water and combination of salty and sweet pre-packaged snack items will be located at the intersection taking runners to the finish or runners heading out for their second 5 mile loop. We expect our runners to carry hydration as needed and to carry a cup (given at the start for those that don’t have one from last year) for water. We are a cupless race on the course.
Post-Event:
Results: The results will be posted at https://www.mtecresults.com/race/leaderboard/19819/2025_Run_The_Ritter-10M
Awards: All finishers receive a eco-wooden medal with suede neck cord.
Top Finishers: Overall male and female of the 5 mile and the 10 mile events receive gift certificate for TCRC and a camper cup.
RRCA Awards: The 5 mile is the MN State RRCA 5 Mile Championship and medals will be given to the overall male and female in the open category, 40+, 50+ and 60+.
All awards will be given at the finish line area and photos will be taken.
Merrell:
Our partner Merrell (located in the Eagan Outlets) will be giving out drawstring bags with a coupon, chips, water and Gatorade powder mix located near the finish line area.
Upright Health:
Dr. Greg Roberts of Upright Health Chiropractic will be present near the finish line with his team and a heated tent for anyone needing to be looked at.
Medical:
Our medical staff will be located with the heated tent if and when needed.
Photos:
We will have two volunteer photographers on race day that will be either on the course to get action photos of all of our runners, finish line photos and random race experience photos. Smile!
Remember to take your “silo selfie” at the banner backdrop and post for all to enjoy.
Merchandise:
We will have a selection of merchandise (hats, shirts, hoodies, cups, buffs and more) located inside the building. Please visit before or after your breakfast. Our hope is to add to our inventory next year. Feel free to offer ideas on what you would like to see being offered to the merchandise team. Cash or credit via square will be accepted.
Post-Race Pancake Breakfast:
Freshly cooked pancakes (blueberry and plain) with gluten-free offered by request, sausage patties or links, eggs, pure maple syrup (donated by Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup), chocolate milk and coffee will be available beginning at 8:30am You will smell it before you see it! Access to the breakfast will be by walking up the ramp on the side of the building to the deck where the tables will be ready with the buffet style choices. We ask that all participants take their food back to the finish line area grounds where picnic tables and firepits will be to enjoy your food. No gathering on the deck where the food tables are placed please.
Final Comments:
Run The Ritter gives back:
Our goal is to reach the cumulative $10K amount in donation back to Ritter Farm Park for sustainability of the trails we use and prairie restoration land management. We anticipate being able to do this before end of this year and thank you for your contribution by way of part of your entry fee. This event is produced by 100% volunteer management and what is left after race operations fees (shirts, medals, insurance, permits, fees, timing, etc.) is given back.
Myself and our fully volunteer Run The Ritter Event Team wish you all a fantastic race experience and look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 15. Let’s make it a great morning at Ritter Farm Park.
November 7, 2025
2025 Pre-Race Information
We are getting excited as we get closer to our 7th Annual Run The Ritter on Saturday, November 15. All registrants will receive a pre-race information e-mail with race details by Monday, November 10 regarding parking, timeline schedule and other pertinent race day details.
This note is to let you know about our one day early packet pick-up scheduled on Saturday, November 8, one week before the race. Details and location are as follows:
Date: Saturday, November 8
Time: 10am – 5pm
At: Ritter Farm Park – Environmental Learning Center (site of the race)
Address: 19300 Ritter Parkway Trail; Lakeville, MN 55044
What: Ritter bib number, pins, race shirt and any pre-ordered merchandise
You may pick up another person’s packet with proof of permission by e-mail or text to do so and show this at pickup.
This is the first year we are hosting this both at the race site location and inside the Environmental Learning Center. As you drive into the park you will see the building on the upper road though even if you park on the lower side near the silo you can easily walk to the building a very short distance.
Here are the top reasons why you should pick up your packet on Nov. 8:
-Guaranteed shirt in the size you requested;
-A chance to see the race venue so no guesses on race day;
-A chance to run part of or all of the course as a preview before the race;
-Discount coupons given during packet pickup;
-No waiting in line on race morning; (well except for the porta-potties as that never seems to change)
Please strongly consider adding this to your Saturday schedule to help prevent the long lines on race morning. We appreciate this but do understand if you have a long out of the metro area drive.
Thank you for making Run The Ritter a part of your schedule. We are thrilled by your choice to participate and look forward to seeing you.
February 4, 2024
2024 Winter 5K Information
Greetings registrants of the Feb 10 Winter Ritter 5K!
First and foremost, we are going to make this event happen despite the lack of snow! Please be prepared to run or hike the 5K course whether with your hiking or running and/or ice traction devices for shoes, or with your dog for the Canicross registrants. We will be there to host the event and are planning on having a good time no matter what the morning brings for conditions. This may be a historic year of no snow on the course in early February but never knowing what Mother Nature will deliver I would plan to at least bring the snowshoes in case Thursday and Friday of this week deliver snow but likely plan on not using them. How’s that for confidence in the weather?
For those on Facebook and Instagram check those for last minute updates if needed. Unless there is a drastic or emergency change this will be the final correspondence you will receive before the Feb 10 Winter 5K race.
Brief notes regarding the event:
ADDRESS
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Parkway Trail, Lakeville, MN
PARKING
Park on your honor in the large parking area near the silo as needed. We do not anticipate parking issues with this event as it is a smaller event than the fall Ritter trail races. There will be a coned off area near the start/finish that we ask that no one park inside of as we are using that for staging, packet pick-up, timing and post-race refreshments.
TIMELINE
9:00am Bib Number pick-up begins and the plaid knit beanies will be given to each registrant
9:55am Bib Number pick-up closes
10:00am Start of the Runners/Hikers/Walkers
10:10am Start of the Canicross participants
10:30-11:30am Post-Event Refreshments, photos and timing results
Note that though the Canicross starts 10 minutes later than the non-dog participants, bib numbers MUST be picked up by 9:55am to allow race officials to begin duties at the finish line.
THE COURSE
The course is an approximate 3 mile single loop that is primarily in the woods covered trails of Ritter Park. Participants will cross the bridge at the start and run thru trails that will bring you back to trail intersection number 1 next to the parking lot but in view of the silo. The course map is located on our website at http://migration2.maxvogel.com/snowshoe-information/
The course will be marked with pin flags to guide you in combination with right or left turn arrow signage where needed on the course to allow you to be on the course with confidence that you know where to go.
TIMING
A timing clock will be set up at the finish line and we will be manually timing this event by capturing your bib number with the corresponding clock time. These results will be posted on our website within a day or two. There are no awards for placing in this race.
REFRESHMENTS AND HYDRATION
A table will be set up near the finish line area with salty and sweet snacks, water and Gatorade. There is no aid station on the 3 mile course. Plan accordingly for carrying hydration if you feel you need it.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday morning, February 10 and wish you a great morning of fresh air and fun times.
Paulette Odenthal and Ritter team
November 11, 2025
Welcome to race week for Run The Ritter this Saturday, Nov 15:
We’re excited about our 7th annual Run The Ritter and are looking forward to a great morning at Ritter Farm Park. Please read through the following information for details about your race morning with us. For those of you that are repeat Ritter runners the layout of the venue, including the start/finish area of the race, has changed this year and the information is listed below.
Pre-Event:
Address:
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Parkway Trail, Lakeville
Parking:
We strongly urge car pooling to our event as parking is limited and our registration numbers are higher than previous years. Parking attendants will assist in where to park your vehicle as efficiently as possible starting at 6:45am. If you are earlier please park responsibly on the lower end of the parking lot.
Porta-John Units:
There will be 5 units located at the top of the parking lot not far from the start/finish line. There is an additional unit near the Pavilion on the lower end of the lot. Access to bathrooms located inside the building is not allowed.
Packet Pick-up: 6:45-7:45am
This is located in the Environment Learning Center which is a building that is visible from wherever you park on the lower end. You can pick up your bib number, pins and shirt before the race. Prepare for longer lines this year and we advise getting there no later than 7:15am to give yourself enough time before the race start.
Bib Number:
Your bib has a chip attached to the back and needs to be attached to the front facing side of your visible layer of clothing for volunteers to see your race number which identifies you and for the transponder to activate when you step on the timing mats for scoring purposes. Do not cross the timing mats before the official start.
Event:
Timeline:
6:45-7:45am Packet Pick-up
7:45am Pre-Race Announcements for Canicross
7:50am Start of Canicross team race (3 mile only)
7:55am Pre-Race Announcements at start line
8:00am Start of all races. The start will be a rolling start of about 10-15 at a time every 5-10 seconds as needed. There is a very short single track hill path (2-3 seconds to get down) located near the start to get “down to the lower level” that we want to prevent congestion so the rolling start will help prevent this. The start and finish of the race is in the same location.
The Race Course: On our website https://runtheritter.com/run-information/
The new course this year is great. A little of everything and one 5 mile loop which is done twice for 10 milers without going all the way back to the start line when you begin your second loop. The 3 milers go straight at about mile 2.6ish to head back to the finish while all other runners turn right to continue on the final miles of the 5 mile. The course is well marked. Follow the orange Ritter flags and signage on the course. The entire course is wide (with exception of the very short single track at the start getting down to the lower level). There is a good mix of terrain with nothing too technical but a few short areas of rocks with leaf coverage at this time of year. A very short .2 is on a gravel road between a trail connect at a little over a mile on the course.
Aid Station:
One table with a cooler of water and combination of salty and sweet pre-packaged snack items will be located at the intersection taking runners to the finish or runners heading out for their second 5 mile loop. We expect our runners to carry hydration as needed and to carry a cup (given at the start for those that don’t have one from last year) for water. We are a cupless race on the course.
Post-Event:
Results: The results will be posted at https://www.mtecresults.com/race/leaderboard/19819/2025_Run_The_Ritter-10M
Awards: All finishers receive a eco-wooden medal with suede neck cord.
Top Finishers: Overall male and female of the 5 mile and the 10 mile events receive gift certificate for TCRC and a camper cup.
RRCA Awards: The 5 mile is the MN State RRCA 5 Mile Championship and medals will be given to the overall male and female in the open category, 40+, 50+ and 60+.
All awards will be given at the finish line area and photos will be taken.
Merrell:
Our partner Merrell (located in the Eagan Outlets) will be giving out drawstring bags with a coupon, chips, water and Gatorade powder mix located near the finish line area.
Upright Health:
Dr. Greg Roberts of Upright Health Chiropractic will be present near the finish line with his team and a heated tent for anyone needing to be looked at.
Medical:
Our medical staff will be located with the heated tent if and when needed.
Photos:
We will have two volunteer photographers on race day that will be either on the course to get action photos of all of our runners, finish line photos and random race experience photos. Smile!
Remember to take your “silo selfie” at the banner backdrop and post for all to enjoy.
Merchandise:
We will have a selection of merchandise (hats, shirts, hoodies, cups, buffs and more) located inside the building. Please visit before or after your breakfast. Our hope is to add to our inventory next year. Feel free to offer ideas on what you would like to see being offered to the merchandise team. Cash or credit via square will be accepted.
Post-Race Pancake Breakfast:
Freshly cooked pancakes (blueberry and plain) with gluten-free offered by request, sausage patties or links, eggs, pure maple syrup (donated by Anderson’s Pure Maple Syrup), chocolate milk and coffee will be available beginning at 8:30am You will smell it before you see it! Access to the breakfast will be by walking up the ramp on the side of the building to the deck where the tables will be ready with the buffet style choices. We ask that all participants take their food back to the finish line area grounds where picnic tables and firepits will be to enjoy your food. No gathering on the deck where the food tables are placed please.
Final Comments:
Run The Ritter gives back:
Our goal is to reach the cumulative $10K amount in donation back to Ritter Farm Park for sustainability of the trails we use and prairie restoration land management. We anticipate being able to do this before end of this year and thank you for your contribution by way of part of your entry fee. This event is produced by 100% volunteer management and what is left after race operations fees (shirts, medals, insurance, permits, fees, timing, etc.) is given back.
Myself and our fully volunteer Run The Ritter Event Team wish you all a fantastic race experience and look forward to seeing you on Saturday, November 15. Let’s make it a great morning at Ritter Farm Park.
November 7, 2025
2025 Pre-Race Information
We are getting excited as we get closer to our 7th Annual Run The Ritter on Saturday, November 15. All registrants will receive a pre-race information e-mail with race details by Monday, November 10 regarding parking, timeline schedule and other pertinent race day details.
This note is to let you know about our one day early packet pick-up scheduled on Saturday, November 8, one week before the race. Details and location are as follows:
Date: Saturday, November 8
Time: 10am – 5pm
At: Ritter Farm Park – Environmental Learning Center (site of the race)
Address: 19300 Ritter Parkway Trail; Lakeville, MN 55044
What: Ritter bib number, pins, race shirt and any pre-ordered merchandise
You may pick up another person’s packet with proof of permission by e-mail or text to do so and show this at pickup.
This is the first year we are hosting this both at the race site location and inside the Environmental Learning Center. As you drive into the park you will see the building on the upper road though even if you park on the lower side near the silo you can easily walk to the building a very short distance.
Here are the top reasons why you should pick up your packet on Nov. 8:
-Guaranteed shirt in the size you requested;
-A chance to see the race venue so no guesses on race day;
-A chance to run part of or all of the course as a preview before the race;
-Discount coupons given during packet pickup;
-No waiting in line on race morning; (well except for the porta-potties as that never seems to change)
Please strongly consider adding this to your Saturday schedule to help prevent the long lines on race morning. We appreciate this but do understand if you have a long out of the metro area drive.
Thank you for making Run The Ritter a part of your schedule. We are thrilled by your choice to participate and look forward to seeing you.
February 4, 2024
2024 Winter 5K Information
Greetings registrants of the Feb 10 Winter Ritter 5K!
First and foremost, we are going to make this event happen despite the lack of snow! Please be prepared to run or hike the 5K course whether with your hiking or running and/or ice traction devices for shoes, or with your dog for the Canicross registrants. We will be there to host the event and are planning on having a good time no matter what the morning brings for conditions. This may be a historic year of no snow on the course in early February but never knowing what Mother Nature will deliver I would plan to at least bring the snowshoes in case Thursday and Friday of this week deliver snow but likely plan on not using them. How’s that for confidence in the weather?
For those on Facebook and Instagram check those for last minute updates if needed. Unless there is a drastic or emergency change this will be the final correspondence you will receive before the Feb 10 Winter 5K race.
Brief notes regarding the event:
ADDRESS
Ritter Farm Park
19300 Ritter Parkway Trail, Lakeville, MN
PARKING
Park on your honor in the large parking area near the silo as needed. We do not anticipate parking issues with this event as it is a smaller event than the fall Ritter trail races. There will be a coned off area near the start/finish that we ask that no one park inside of as we are using that for staging, packet pick-up, timing and post-race refreshments.
TIMELINE
9:00am Bib Number pick-up begins and the plaid knit beanies will be given to each registrant
9:55am Bib Number pick-up closes
10:00am Start of the Runners/Hikers/Walkers
10:10am Start of the Canicross participants
10:30-11:30am Post-Event Refreshments, photos and timing results
Note that though the Canicross starts 10 minutes later than the non-dog participants, bib numbers MUST be picked up by 9:55am to allow race officials to begin duties at the finish line.
THE COURSE
The course is an approximate 3 mile single loop that is primarily in the woods covered trails of Ritter Park. Participants will cross the bridge at the start and run thru trails that will bring you back to trail intersection number 1 next to the parking lot but in view of the silo. The course map is located on our website at http://migration2.maxvogel.com/snowshoe-information/
The course will be marked with pin flags to guide you in combination with right or left turn arrow signage where needed on the course to allow you to be on the course with confidence that you know where to go.
TIMING
A timing clock will be set up at the finish line and we will be manually timing this event by capturing your bib number with the corresponding clock time. These results will be posted on our website within a day or two. There are no awards for placing in this race.
REFRESHMENTS AND HYDRATION
A table will be set up near the finish line area with salty and sweet snacks, water and Gatorade. There is no aid station on the 3 mile course. Plan accordingly for carrying hydration if you feel you need it.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday morning, February 10 and wish you a great morning of fresh air and fun times.
Paulette Odenthal and Ritter team
Run the Ritter © All rights reserved.
Powered by Max Vogel Group